Thursday, November 13, 2008

Dearest God,

I saw our little ones today. Some with bald heads. Some with IV's connected to their little arms as they rode around in their little red wagons. Some looked very sick. Others looked like they had been sick for a long time. I suspect some are dying of cancer.

A trip to Riley always gives me a sobering view of life from underneath. Parents and children suffering, getting help, finding a whole staff whose primary work is creating the setting for healing. I admire their work, their devotion, their love, and their God-given talents to be parents of sick children, doctors, nurses and child-life specialists who show up with toys, books and games. It is a season of family at Riley Hospital.

I join that family as I show up at the entryway as a pastor. I too have a focus on healing. I too want to bring gifts of hope, faith, joy, peace and love as I walk the halls. I try to take extra smiles with me to deposit as I make eye contact with worn out parents, weary nurses or doctors, and especially with the children. Can a smile make a difference even if only a minute or a moment? Yes, I think it can. A smile means I care about you and I do. For every one.

How many smiles have others offered me throughout my lifetime? How many times did I connect for just a moment or for a whole day as I clung to a caring gesture of hope? More times than I can remember. I still have a lot of smiles to offer today wherever I go. In the grocery story, the library, the post office, school, work, the church and on the street. I am sure I've received more smiles than I have yet given away. I have work to do today.

Put a smile
on my face
and hope
in my heart,
Precious Lover
of Your Children;
help me
give it away
to everyone
I meet.
Make it
my day's goal
to give
a smile away.

Loving you always, Andrea